Kate Smith principal to take district job; 9 principal positions open at elementary schools

Richard Swanberg, the principal at Kate Smith has taken a district job as an area superintendent.

Swanberg has been looked at as example for high test results in a school that faces a large student population living in poverty and still learning English.

Kate Smith received a four star ranking in the district performance framework and is expected to get a five star when state rankings are out next month.

The district said recommendations for principal replacements at nine district elementary schools will be given to the superintendent Thursday.

Open principal positions include five elementary schools where principals were moved to schools that were at the bottom of the district's ranking system. Those include Alyce Taylor, Alice Maxwell, Mamie Towles, Lois Allen and Spanish Springs elementary schools.

Other openings for principals include at Double Diamond, Lemmon Valley and Marvin Moss elementary schools where the district removed principals during the school year.

The principal at Double Diamond liked to lock down the school whenever he felt threatened...he even sought help from the courts in asking that two children be removed from his school...the judge denied his request....good riddance.